Football Friday Notebook: Chester’s fast start signals bigger things to come
There is a long way to go and two games doesn’t define a season.
The opposition hasn’t been very good, but that’s not the fault of the Chester High players. They are bludgeoning the teams that are on the schedule and not feeling sorry for anyone standing in the way of their destructive path.
Caveats aside, the Clippers have been the most dominating team in Delco.
Who saw it coming?
In wins over West Philadelphia and Sun Valley, Chester has scored 94 points and allowed zero.
Zilch. Zip. Nada.
You can chalk it up to good coaching. LaDontay Bell has done wonders for the program, both on and off the field. In January 2018, the Eagles donated $10,000 for new equipment for the school’s weight room and honored Bell for his work in improving the lives of the student-athletes of Chester High. Bell is changing the culture every day.
And now it’s beginning to take shape on the gridiron.
“We tell our guys to be accountable, to work hard and to give us their absolute best,” Bell said after his Clippers throttled West Philly, 50-0. “I want their best every single day. They have it in them to do this every game.”
With a senior-laden team that includes outstanding defensive back Rafiqe Hilliard and super athletes Malik and Malachi Langley, the Clippers have done everything right in two weeks. In years past an encouraging start was quickly followed by the unraveling, but Chester has passed each test with flying colors.
Malik Langley has returned both a kick and punt for a touchdown. Malachi Langley has returned a punt for a score and has two TD catches.
Defensively, the Clippers have caused nine turnovers, which is most in the county.
Offense, defense and special teams. Chester has been a complete package.
Perhaps expectations should remain tempered, however. Chester hasn’t won four or more games in a season since 2014 and hasn’t posted a winning record since 2008, when the Clippers finished 8-3 and earned a piece of the Del Val League title.
Whether the Clippers can compete with the likes of Penn Wood and Academy Park remains to be seen. They should, however, have everyone’s attention.
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Kyle Lazer is receiving rave reviews for his performance at quarterback for Bonner & Prendergast.
“He has a little bit of (Mike) Mitros in him,” said quarterback coach Mike Mitros following the Friars’ 27-0 win over Avon Grove last week.
Mitros was an All-Delco and Catholic League MVP at Bonner 25 years ago. He threw for a school-record 2,288 yards in his senior season.
After two games, the junior Lazer is 17-for-29 for 272 yards and two touchdowns.
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Central League coaches awarded weekly honors to the following players:
Quarterback: Trey Blair (Haverford), Sam DiLella (Radnor), Joe Paoletti (Marple Newtown), Kevin Kerwood, Roger Roberts (Lower Merion).
Running Back: John Prochniak (Strath Haven), Dylan Staley (Ridley), Liam Kirk Conestoga), Scott Belveal (Radnor), Charlie Box (Marple Newtown), Teddy Molineaux (Marple Newtown), Abdoulie Sahor (Lower Merion).
Receiver: Justin Burgess (Haverford), Mike Prestipino (Conestoga), Jahmir Dixon (Radnor), Brendan Surbeck (Radnor), Neo Vosschulte (Marple Newtown), James Tuayemie (Upper Darby).
Offensive Line: Sam Burk (Strath Haven), Stephen Wallis (Ridley), Josh Benner (Ridley), Matt Hamilton (Conestoga), Pat Boujoukos (Radnor), Kevin Redden (Upper Darby), Ryan Marsh (Lower Merion)
Defensive Line: Alfred Manyeah (Ridley), Chasen Wint (Haverford), Jelani Estes (Marple Newtown), Evan Hrvinak (Garnet Valley), Jim Basler (Upper Darby), Shane Sullivan (Harriton).
Linebacker: John Wilson (Strath Haven), Evan Blake (Strath Haven), Nick Becker (Ridley), Chris Radina (Conestoga), Shane Mosley (Haverford), Brian Klee (Haverford), Taylor Margolis (Radnor), Austin Stanley, Rob Reilly (Marple Newtown), Jake Morin (Garnet Valley), Mitch Mesaros (Garnet Valley), Matt Gabel (Garnet Valley), Alex Chavez (Upper Darby), Max Copley (Harriton).
Defensive Back: Jaris Adams (Strath Haven), Jack Wills (Ridley), Cameron Williams (Radnor), Ryan Gallagher (Garnet Valley), Greg Reynolds (Garnet Valley), Jacob Gouch (Upper Darby).
Specialist: Emmet Young (Strath Haven), C.J. Lane (Marple Newtown), Bryce Stansfield (Garnet Valley), Kevin McGarrey (Garnet Valley).
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MOVING THE CHAINS >> Radnor’s Sam DiLella leads all Delco quarterbacks in passing yards (449) and efficiency rating (244.89) … Cardinal O’Hara’s Chris Sheffer logged 10 tackles and a forced fumble in the Lions’ season-opening win at Hudson Catholic … All-Delco linebacker Richie Kimmel notched 10 tackles and a pass defense in the Patriots’ loss at Seton Hall Prep … Strath Haven kicker Emmet Young is 12-for-12 in extra points … Academy Park’s Barry Brown has been a dual threat at quarterback. In addition to throwing for 199 yards and three TDs, Brown has amassed 224 yards on the ground to lead the Knights to a 2-0 start … How good has Bonner & Prendergast been on the defensive side? The Friars are allowing an average of 80 yards per game and opposing rushers are averaging 0.58 yards per carry … Upper Darby’s Kevin Kerwood has been involved in all four of his teams touchdowns this season. The senior quarterback has thrown three scoring passes and has run for one … The first batch of Delco stat leaders will accompany next week’s football notebook.
